The image of the Bigg's store at 4924 Union Centre Pavilion Drive, West Chester, is getting much bigger among needy families receiving assistance from Reach Out Lakota Inc.

        The supermarket will present the pantry with a $250 check this week, the first of monthly checks that will be given to the agency.

        Patti Cameron, administrative secretary for the store, said it is a continuing project.

        “This will be the first check since we started the project,” Ms. Cameron said. “We also give the pantry baked and canned goods and paper products.”

        When customers shop at the store they can take receipts to Reach Out Lakota Inc., 6561 Station Road, West Chester.

        Lourdes Ward, director of the agency, said they tally all the receipts and send them to Bigg's.

        “The store then will give us a check,” based on 1 percent of the sales, Ms. Ward said. “This is a big help to us because we don't get any government or United Way money. It all comes through donations.”

        The agency has operated for nine years. Ms. Ward said it serves about 60 families a month.

        “We were able to give gifts to 425 children last Christmas,” she said. “Along with food, we are able to offer some clothing, cleaning supplies and items for personal hygiene.”

        The public is invited to experience a part of Cincinnati's heritage while participating in an Easter Egg hunt, starting at 2 p.m. Sunday at the William Howard Taft National Historic Site, 2038 Auburn Ave., Mount Auburn.

        The site is the birthplace and boyhood home of former president and Supreme Court Chief Justice William Howard Taft.

        An Easter Bunny will be there to lead two egg hunts, one for children 7 and under, and one for children 8 and over.

        Magician Dr. Fred Smart will perform hat tricks. Tours of the historic site will be conducted throughout the day by the National Park Service.

        The event is free and is sponsored by the William Howard Taft Birthplace Group, the Mount Auburn Community Council and the National Park Service.

        Members of Give Back Cincinnati, a non-profit group of 290 professionals who do volunteer community service, will host a “Young at Heart” party for seniors in local senior centers on April 13 at the Anderson Senior Center, 7970 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township.

        The event will include dinner served by members of Give Back Cincinnati, dancing with lessons by Arthur Murray Dance Studio, and karaoke.

        “This endeavor is less of a physical effort than the last project, which was giving a facelift to the athletic department at Western Hills High school,” said Zack Zitko, public relations director for the group. “This is more a night of uplifting emotion for those who attend.”

       
       Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.
       

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